| |
Click here to download high-resolution photo
Schmick bill would promote
online opportunities for rural students
House Committee holds hearing on Colfax lawmaker's
proposal
State lawmakers are
considering a bill that would ramp up the availability of public
information to inform, encourage and assist high-school students who
live in rural and remote communities to participate – via the Internet –
in programs like Running Start to earn college credits.
House Bill 3129, sponsored by
Rep. Joe Schmick,
R-Colfax, is aimed at ensuring that students have the information they
need to understand how to access the distance-learning options that are
available to them.
Under Schmick’s proposal, the Office of Superintendent of Public
Instruction (OSPI) would be required to compile information about online
learning programs and to place that information prominently on the OSPI
Web site. In addition to ensuring that teachers and counselors have
information about online learning programs, the bill also would require
school districts to provide general information to all 10th -, 11th -
and 12th-grade students, and their parents, on how to enroll and earn
credits through online courses.
A co-sponsor of the bipartisan bill is the Democrat chair of the House
Education Committee, who agreed to hold a hearing on the measure Friday,
Feb. 1.
In his testimony on the proposal, Schmick told the committee the measure
is aimed at increasing access and availability for students,
particularly those who reside in rural areas.
“I represent the second largest district in the state, and in our part
of Washington distance learning is an important option, because it opens
up opportunities for young people who don’t live near a university,
community college or technical school,” he said. “But we can do a better
job of getting the word out that this is a great way for anyone with Web
access to fill in credit gaps or pursue an entire degree program.
“This generation’s young people are very adept at using computer
technology. Online programs make higher education accessible anywhere,
and we need to take the steps necessary to ensure that teachers, parents
and students are fully informed of this avenue for teaching and
learning,” Schmick explained. “That’s why I brought this bill forward.”
Schmick said his goal in generating a better means of getting
distance-learning information to students is not limited solely to
high-school and college-age residents who live in rural areas.
“Men and women who have family pressures and full-time jobs, shouldn’t
they have that opportunity, too? Some people can’t just drop everything
and drive a hundred miles to go to school,” he said. “A lot of people,
students and adults, just aren’t aware of how to access educational
opportunities on the Internet instead of in a conventional college
classroom. We must do more to bridge the gap between where people live
and work, and where educational resources exist.”
Created by the Legislature in the early 1990s, Running Start allows
high-school juniors and seniors to take classes that count toward both
high-school graduation requirements and college credit. The online
classroom can also offer specialized or advanced courses not available
at a student’s local brick-and-mortar school. Other online learning
programs include the Digital Learning Commons, University of Washington
Extension, and WashingtonOnline, a cooperative effort by the Washington
State Community and Technical Colleges.
# # #
Editor's note: Photo of
Rep. Schmick testifying in committee is attached
For more information, contact
Bill Taylor, Information Officer:
(360) 786-7074
|
|